Health Upgraders

If you’re looking for a new career, dental assisting offers great hours and benefits. You can also get into the workforce quickly and easily through fast track certificate training at a dental assistant school, or find an affordable diploma or associate’s degree program that works with your schedule.

One of the primary dental assistant schools in Indianapolis is the Indiana University School of Dentistry. The dental assistant degree program at the Indiana University School of Dentistry is an accredited professional program consisting of 31 college credit hours (two 16-week semesters). A variety of teaching methods are offered, including problem-based learning and distance learning opportunities.

Another dental assistant degree program is offered at the International Business College. This school offers a 16-month associate degree program. Kaplan College offers an Associate of Applied Science curriculum that has been designed to allow the graduate to work in either the clinical or administration area of a dental office, group practice, clinic or health maintenance organization.

Each of these programs will assist students in preparing for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam sponsored by the Dental Assisting National Board. Students are required to obtain certification in dental radiography from the Indiana State Board of Health in order to perform dental X-rays in Indiana. The program will assist students in preparing for the exams required for this radiology certification.

Dental assistants in Indiana tend to migrate toward areas like Anderson, Muncie and Lafayette, where jobs for them are more common, relative to the population, than in other parts of the state. In contrast, there are proportionally fewer jobs for dental assistants in Elkhart, Terre Haute and Fort Wayne. The Indiana metro areas with the highest median salaries for dental assistants are South Bend, Indianapolis and Bloomington.

The dental profession is historically innovative and continues to introduce new technology. A dental assistant who learns the trade and stays up-to-date with new advancements not only builds a dynamic career, but also adds great value to the dental office, becoming a vital contributor to its success.